Richmond Hill man charged after allegedly renting a plane, stunt flying it over friend's house

A Richmond Hill man could face up to five years in jail after allegedly renting a plane to go stunt flying over his friend’s house.

Christian Nardoni, 26, was arrested on Sunday at Markham Airport after York Regional Police received numerous calls from people nearby concerned about a small plane, believed to be a Cessna 172, that was flying dangerously low to houses and parks. He was charged with dangerous operation of an aircraft.

Police started to receive calls around 5 o’clock on Sunday evening and police cruisers followed the airplane from the ground.

The plane appeared to be climbing into the sky before stalling and falling back to low altitudes.

Police and air traffic controllers were unable to get in touch with the plane while it was in flight.

Believing the plane was having mechanical problems and in danger of crashing, police closed Bayview Avenue from Elgin Mills Road to Major Mackenzie Drive at around 5:30 p.m. to provide a runway for emergency landing.

The road was reopened minutes later and the plane landed safely around 5:45 p.m. at Markham Airport, on Highway 48 north of Elgin Mills Road, from where it had taken off. Police arrested Mr. Nardoni on the tarmac after he parked the plane.

Constable Andy Pattenden said he had never seen the dangerous operation of an aircraft charge laid before. It carries similar punishment to the dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.

Mr. Nardoni appeared in court Monday morning. He was released on bail and will appear in Newmarket Court on September 4.

York Region Police are asking eye witnesses or anyone with photos or videos of the plane to contact them.